Purpose of the session

Since 2008 departmental select committees have had a formal role in the appointment process of some designated public posts which fall under the remit of their respective Government departments. The post of HM Chief Inspector, Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), is one such post.

This will be the first pre-appointment hearing held by the Education Committee in this Parliament. The committee will take evidence, in public, from the Government's preferred candidate, Sir Michael Wilshaw.

Following the session, the committee will agree and publish a report, setting out for the Government the committee's views on the candidate's suitability for the post.

Pre-appointment hearings

The history and process for pre-appointment hearings by select committees can be found on the Cabinet Office website: